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Archiver > SOG-UK > 2003-02 > 1045251580


From: David G Jackson <>
Subject: Re: [SoG] Mental insufficiency (was 1881 Census CDs)
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 19:39:40 +0000
References: <xbItbjCoPqS+EwXk@old-hickory.demon.co.uk><009001c2d38b$7c6fece0$9fe786d9@LAPTOP>
In-Reply-To: <009001c2d38b$7c6fece0$9fe786d9@LAPTOP>


Three terms were still used to describe mental insufficiency in the 1901
census. Column 17 of the CEBs gives item 3(Lunatic) and item
4(Imbecile,feeble minded).
Edward Higgs (A Clearer Sense Of the Census' PRO Handbook No 28, HMSO,
1996; p87) states "The instructions for 1891 and 1901 were similar to
those for 1881, although 'from childhood' was substituted for 'from
birth' and in 1901 'feeble-minded' for 'idiot'." Higgs goes on to say
that in 1901 the number of people recorded as having a mental disability
rose markedly, probably because the term 'feeble-minded' was less
derogatory than 'idiot'.

In message <009001c2d38b$7c6fece0$>, Geoff Riggs
<> writes
>David Jackson quoted the 1881Census Report contains descriptions of the
>three types of mental insufficiency that were recognised for the purposes of
>the census. But for the 1901 census there were only two categories -
>imbecile, feeble-minded. Without handy access to the corresponding report I
>can't tell you how 'feeble-minded' was defined, I'm afraid.
>
>But I read in one of the reference books that the number reported in this
>category far exceeded those in the previous returns. It was thought that
>the householder was more ready to admit living with someone who was
>'feeble-minded', rather than someone who was a lunatic or an idiot !
>
>Geoff Riggs
>Chepstow, South Wales
>
--
David G Jackson

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